The room was so quiet it felt as though the very air had stilled, waiting for Viktor's response. The weight of Queen Isolde's ultimatum hung in the atmosphere like a storm waiting to break. Kian's heart raced in his chest, his pulse loud in his ears as his eyes darted between Viktor and the Vampire Queen.
Viktor stood motionless, his body rigid as if he were carved from stone. But Kian knew better. He could see the internal war playing out behind Viktor's cool, composed exterior.
It was the subtle tightening of his jaw, the flicker of anguish in his usually unreadable eyes. Viktor was torn, torn between the instinct to protect Kian at all costs and the fear that in trying to save him, he'd lose him forever.
"Viktor," Kian whispered, stepping closer, his voice soft but filled with urgency. His heart felt like it was in his throat, each beat a reminder of how precious little time they had. "Don't let her control us. We can face this together."
Viktor's eyes locked onto Kian's, and for a moment, Kian could see the depth of the love and sorrow swirling inside him. It was enough to make his heart ache. "Kian…" Viktor's voice was low, raw with emotion. "If I don't sever the bond, you'll never be safe. They'll come for you. You'll be hunted, and there will be nowhere to hide."
"I don't care," Kian said, his voice fierce and determined. "We'll find a way. But I won't let you push me away, Viktor. I'm not some fragile human who needs to be protected. I won't lose you because you think it's the only way to keep me safe. Don't do this."
Across the room, Queen Isolde watched them, her lips curling into a slow, sinister smile. She could sense Viktor's hesitation, the doubt that clawed at him. "Tick-tock, Viktor," she taunted, her voice smooth and venomous. "Time is running out. Make your choice."
The silence in the grand hall stretched unbearably, heavy and suffocating. Kian could barely breathe as he waited for Viktor's decision. His mind raced with fear and hope, each battling for dominance in the face of the unknown. He could feel Viktor's turmoil, the way his soul was being ripped in two by the weight of the ultimatum.
Finally, Viktor spoke, his voice firm, steady, but full of pain. "No."
Isolde's smile vanished, her expression hardening. "No?" she repeated, her tone icy with disbelief.
"I won't sever the bond," Viktor declared, his hand reaching out to grasp Kian's. His touch was strong, grounding, and filled with silent promises. "Kian and I are stronger together. I won't let you tear us apart."
A ripple of shocked whispers erupted among the vampires gathered in the court. Viktor's defiance was unheard of, something that was never tolerated in front of the queen. Isolde's eyes darkened, and a chill settled over the room.
"Very well," she said, her voice like the crack of ice. "You've made your choice. But know this, Viktor, by refusing me, you've sealed his fate." Her gaze shifted to Kian, her eyes burning with malice. "Either you turn him, or I will ensure he suffers in ways you can't even imagine."
Kian's breath hitched, but before he could react, Viktor's grip on his hand tightened. "Then I'll turn him," Viktor said, his voice resolute.
Kian's heart stopped, his entire world narrowing to the sound of Viktor's words. *Turn him?* He turned to Viktor, wide-eyed with shock. "Viktor, no..." But Viktor's gaze was unwavering, filled with a love that was both fierce and devastating. "It's the only way, Kian. I won't lose you."
The reality of Viktor's decision crashed down on Kian like a wave. The idea of being turned, of becoming a vampire, of losing his humanity, feeding on blood for eternity, it was too much to process. A million thoughts flooded his mind all at once. Was he ready for this? Could he give up everything he knew, everything he was, to stay with Viktor? He wasn't sure anymore.
But as Kian met Viktor's eyes, he saw that the choice had already been made.
"Viktor…" Kian began, his voice faltering. He wanted to protest, wanted to tell Viktor there had to be another way. But he knew. He knew there wasn't.
Isolde's cruel laughter echoed through the room, cutting through Kian's thoughts like a blade. "How touching," she sneered, her voice dripping with mockery. "But remember this, Viktor, you only have until the next gathering. If he isn't turned by then, I'll come for him myself."
She turned on her heel, dismissing them with a flick of her hand. "Get out of my sight."
Viktor wasted no time. He pulled Kian toward the door, his grip firm but gentle as they left the opulent court behind. The moment they were outside, away from Isolde's prying eyes, Kian felt the weight of everything come crashing down.
In the stillness of the night, Viktor guided Kian to his car, the tension between them thick, almost unbearable. They drove in silence for several minutes, the hum of the engine the only sound breaking the quiet.
Finally, Kian couldn't take it anymore. "Viktor," he said softly, his voice shaking with the enormity of what had just happened. "What… what happens now?"
Viktor's jaw was tight, his expression grim. "Like I said," he murmured, barely above a whisper, "I'll turn you. It's the only way to keep you safe."
Kian's heart stopped. He stared at Viktor, his mind spinning. "You're being serious?"
Viktor's gaze didn't waver. "Yes," he said firmly, though there was an undercurrent of sorrow in his tone. "It's the only way."
Kian's thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, fear, and disbelief. Turned? He would become a vampire, forever bound to this world, to Viktor. He'd have to give up everything: his humanity, his future, the very essence of who he was. "I… I don't know if I can do this, Viktor," Kian whispered, his voice trembling. "I don't know if I'm ready to give up everything."
Viktor's face softened, his hand reaching out to rest on Kian's. "I know it's not an easy decision," he said, his voice gentle but urgent. "But it's the only way. If we don't do this, Isolde will come for you. She'll make you suffer, Kian. I can't… I can't let that happen."
Kian shook his head, torn between the love he felt for Viktor and the fear of what he was being asked to give up. "But what about my life? My family, my friends… everything I know. I'll lose it all."
Viktor's eyes glistened with pain, and for the first time since the confrontation with Isolde, his voice wavered. "I know," he whispered. "I know what I'm asking of you. But I can't lose you, Kian. You're everything to me now. And if I turn you… at least we'll have forever."
Tears pricked at the corners of Kian's eyes, the weight of Viktor's words nearly crushing him. "But forever as what?" Kian asked, his voice breaking. "As a vampire? As something… other than myself?"
Viktor squeezed his hand, his gaze never leaving Kian's. "Forever as my equal. Forever together."
Kian's breath hitched. The gravity of Viktor's love, the depth of his devotion, was overwhelming. But so were the consequences.